Science Elective -Agriculture, Hydroponics, Organic Gardening 

o.5 credit course
this course involves class discussions, reflections, and activities that may not be posted on the Wiki.
This wiki is being built as this course is being taught. It will not be at its full credit value until AFTER the term ends.

---

Read section 1 on the three types of agriculture (you will read the other sections at another time)

complete the science content pre-reading worksheet
fill in the alphabet vocabulary finder as you read
complete the word chart for labor-intensive agriculture and another one for mechanized agriculture
compare and contrast Iia and ma

---

View the Discovery education Biogeochemical Cycles Video

1. define biosphere
2. define biogeochemical cycle
3. Summarize the carbon cycle
   1. define photosynthesis
   2. explain the process of photosynthesis
   3. Define cellular respiration
   4. explain the process of cellular respiration
   5. explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are connected
4. Identify nutrients provided by the soil
5. define decomposition and list the benefits of decomposition to life on Earth
6. diagram the Phosphorous cycle
7. explain how farmers maintain nutrient soils
8. diagram the nitrogen cycle
9. Summarize nutrient cycles

Answer the questions and color the keys for the Biogeochemical Cycles in this pdf:

---

photosynthesis

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

1. Create a poster, booklet, powerpoint, glog, educanvas or presentation comparing and contrasting photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Include:
   1. Location of each process (*NOTE: In plant cells both photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur. In animal cells, only cellular respiration occurs)
   2. A labeled diagram of each cycle’s: Reactants, Products, Energy flow
      1. Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration differ in terms of energy flow, reactants and products.
      2. Identify similarities between the cycles
      3. Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration depend on each other.

check out this canvas for information and inspiration

Discuss with the teacher:
1. Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration differ in terms of energy flow, reactants, and products.
2. Could photosynthesis exist without cellular respiration? Could cellular respiration exist without photosynthesis? Defend your position.
Watch a video on photosynthesis. The following videos help bring photosynthesis to life.National Geographic VideoHow Stuff Works Video
Play the Photosynthesis GamesPhotosynthesis Formula GamePhotosynthesis Jeopardy

---

View the video about the importance of soil Soil: the Secret Ingredient

1. Reflect: I saw, I heard, I learned, I knew

Video about things that impact soil Soil Savvy as you watch,

1. identify 3 things that negatively impact soil
2. identify 3 things that positively impact soil

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History State Soil Interactive

1. select MN and record information from "where is it?" "What's in it?" "What's so Special?" and "fun facts"
2. select 7 other states and do the same thing
3. compare/ contrast the information you discovered about other states with MN. identify which one is most similar, which one is most different, etc..

view the "Dirt! the movie" and complete the viewing guide as you watch.

---

Read p 314 - 315 "the impact of fertilizers" from the Agriculture Reading pdf; complete the worksheet as you read

Learn more about Macronutrients and Micronutrients:
Use this resource http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm to answer the following questions:

1. What is a macronutrient?
2. What is a micronutrient?
3. List two examples of each kind of nutrient
4. What does each one of these nutrients do for the plant?

---

As your read, look to describe ways chemistry has contributed to the success of modern agriculture

---

Biocides
read p 315- 320 in the "Agriculture reading" pdf, complete the worksheet as you read.


Research:
Who was Rachel Carson? Why is she a famous scientist? What obstacles did she have to overcome? What contributions did she make to the modern environmental movement? How does she tie into our study of biocides? What is DDT? How does it work? Explain the current day controversy surrounding DDT. Compile your research into a 300 - 500 word essay and be prepared to discuss it in class.


Biomagnification
Bioaccumulation:increase in concentration of a pollutant from the environment to the first organism in a food chainBiomagnification:increase in concentration of a pollutant from one link in a food chain to another
READ p 320 - 322 in the "Agriculture reading" pdf, complete the worksheet as you read
view the videos
then conduct the paper activity and research/write your essay.


Link to the video: Bee Deaths Linked to Pesticides

and this one made me laugh:

---

Integrated Pest Control
http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/videos/histories/garth-youngberg

---

Organic Agriculture

Genetically Modified Organisms

---

MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE - plants
View video on the history of agriculture in minnesota at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/kids/videostories.aspx select "Minnesota Changes with Time"
how has Minnesota Agriculture changed over time and what has led to these changes?